Spoken English · Guides · October 30, 2026 · 5 min read

Conversation between teacher and student: 6 English dialogues for school and college

A conversation between a teacher and a student is a common task in school English exams and a real skill at college, in an online course or when studying abroad. The tone is polite but not stiff: students use Excuse me, Could I…? and Sir or Ma’am in many countries, while in the UK, US and Australia students often use Mr / Ms + surname or the first name at university. Below are classroom phrases and six natural dialogues.

Classroom phrases for students

• Excuse me, may I come in?
• Sorry I’m late.
• Could you explain that again, please?
• I have a question about…
• I didn’t understand the last part.
• What does “…” mean?
• How do you spell that?
• Could I have a little more time for the assignment?
• When is the deadline?
• Will this be in the exam?

Phrases teachers use

• Any questions?
• Open your books to page 45.
• Work in pairs / in groups.
• Hand in your homework by Friday.
• Well done! / Good effort.
• You need to work on your spelling.
• Let’s go over it again.
• See me after class.

Dialogue 1: asking a doubt after class

Student: Excuse me, ma’am. Do you have a minute?
Teacher: Sure, Rohan. What is it?
Student: I didn’t understand the last part about percentages.
Teacher: Which part exactly?
Student: How to find the original price after a discount.
Teacher: OK. If a shirt costs 800 after a 20% discount, 800 is 80% of the original. So you divide 800 by 0.8.
Student: So the original price is 1,000?
Teacher: Exactly. Try questions 5 to 8 tonight, and ask me tomorrow if you’re stuck.
Student: Thank you, ma’am.

Note: in Indian English, I have a doubt means I have a question. Internationally, doubt means you don’t believe something, so I have a question is clearer.

Dialogue 2: late homework

Teacher: Aisha, I didn’t get your essay yesterday.
Student: I’m really sorry, Mr Clarke. I was ill on Monday and couldn’t finish it.
Teacher: I see. Are you feeling better now?
Student: Yes, thank you. Could I hand it in on Thursday?
Teacher: All right, Thursday is fine. But please email me next time if you can’t make a deadline.
Student: I will. Thank you for understanding.

Dialogue 3: talking about exam results

Teacher: Come in, David. I wanted to talk about your test.
Student: I know it wasn’t very good.
Teacher: You got 58 out of 100. Your grammar was fine, but you lost marks in the reading section.
Student: I ran out of time. The texts were long.
Teacher: That’s common. Try to read the questions first, then the text. It saves time.
Student: That’s a good idea. Can you recommend some practice material?
Teacher: Sure. I’ll send you some reading tests this afternoon.
Student: Thanks, I’ll do one every day.

Dialogue 4: asking for leave

Student: Good morning, sir. May I ask for something?
Teacher: Of course, Fatima.
Student: My sister is getting married next week. Could I be absent on Thursday and Friday?
Teacher: Congratulations! Yes, but please bring a note from your parents.
Student: Of course. What should I do about the classes I’ll miss?
Teacher: Ask a classmate for the notes, and come to me on Monday if anything is unclear.
Student: Thank you, sir.

Dialogue 5: career advice

Student: Dr Mensah, could I ask your advice about something?
Teacher: Of course. Have a seat.
Student: I’m not sure whether to do a master’s or start working after graduation.
Teacher: What are you most interested in?
Student: Data analysis. I really enjoyed the statistics course.
Teacher: Then some work experience first might help. You’ll understand which master’s you need.
Student: That makes sense. Would you write me a reference letter?
Teacher: I’d be happy to. Send me your CV and I’ll write it this week.

Dialogue 6: an online class

Teacher: Good evening, everyone. Can you all hear me?
Student: Yes, sir, but your video is frozen.
Teacher: Is it better now?
Student: Yes, it’s fine now.
Teacher: Great. Please turn on your cameras. Maria, can you share your screen?
Student: Sorry, I’m on mute… Can you see it now?
Teacher: Yes, perfect. Go ahead.

Common mistakes

• “I have a doubt.” Clearer internationally: I have a question.
• “Teacher, give me one more day.” Softer: Could I have one more day, please?
• “Yes, teacher.” In many English-speaking countries teacher is not used as a form of address. Use Mr / Ms / Dr + surname, or sir / ma’am / miss where that is the custom.
• “Can you repeat again?” Repeat already means again: Could you repeat that, please?
• “I am not understanding.” Say I don’t understand.

For more about polite forms, see polite requests in English; for apologising for being late, how to say sorry in English.

Practise speaking with a patient partner

Classroom English is often the first real English that students use. The conversation below this article opens a free chat with Nomi on Nomto: ask Nomi to play your teacher or tutor, explain a problem or ask for advice, and after each reply you see a clearer version. More dialogues: conversation between two friends.

FAQ

How do you start a conversation with a teacher?

Get their attention politely and say what you need: Excuse me, sir / Ms Lee, do you have a minute? I have a question about the homework.

How should a student talk to a teacher in English?

Use polite question forms (Could I…? Would it be possible…?), say please and thank you, and use the form of address that is normal at your school.

What can I write in a teacher and student dialogue for an exam?

Choose one clear situation (a doubt, late homework, results, leave), use 8–12 lines, a greeting, the problem, a solution and a polite ending.

Is “I have a doubt” wrong?

It is standard in Indian English, where it means I have a question. In international English, doubt means uncertainty about whether something is true, so I have a question is safer.